Are you doing everything you can to keep your mouth healthy? This is a great question, for proper oral hygiene is essential in order to maintain a mouth that looks, smells, and operates in a healthy fashion. Of course, part of proper oral care entails regularly visiting your Lafayette, LA, dentist, Dr. Ken LeBlanc, DDS—read on to learn five reasons why proper oral hygiene is so important.
1. Prevent Bad Breath
Bad breath is characterized by a foul odor of the mouth, and proper dental hygiene is key to keeping it at bay. Ideally, you should clean your teeth after meals to reduce the odor-causing bacteria in your mouth. Mouth rinses are also very effective in controlling bad breath.
2. Prevent Decay
Dental plaque is a film that builds up on your teeth and contains bacteria. If left untreated, this bacteria can damage your teeth and lead to tooth decay. Dental plaque can be removed by flossing once a day, brushing twice a day, and receiving professional dental cleanings from our Lafayette office.
3. Prevent Gum Disease
Also termed periodontal disease, gum disease is one of the biggest threats to your dental wellbeing. Additionally, this condition is usually slow to show visible symptoms, meaning that it can easily reach an advanced stage before you notice any issues. This can result in deterioration of bone structure and gums and eventually loss of teeth. Daily flossing and brushing as well as scheduling regular appointments with your dentist are the best ways to minimize your risk for gum disease.
4. Prevent Tooth Loss
Tooth loss can have serious emotional and psychological consequences and impact your quality of life. Regular dental visits and proper oral hygiene can help you keep your teeth as you get older.
5. Maintain Overall Health
Again and again, research has shown that a healthy mouth leads to a healthy body. Good oral health reduces your risk of serious health issues such as heart disease, stroke, heart attack, and premature labor.
Time for a Checkup? Give Our Lafayette Office a Call
Dial 337-406-9994 today to schedule an appointment with your dentist, Dr. Ken LeBlanc. You deserve to have a smile that's healthy and beautiful!